boyle



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. E. BOYLE. PNEUMATIC FLUSHING TANK.

No. 380,854. Patented-Apr. 10, 1888.

WITNESSES |& INVENTOR:

. msfsxmm g I N. P'UERS, PhnloLithogI-mphur, Washington. D. c,

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. E. BOYLE. PNEUMATIC FLUSHING TANK. No. 380,854. Patented Apr. 10,1888.

WITNESSES' g N. PETERS, PiwKo-ulhognpher, Wasmnkton D. C'.

(No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 3.

J. E. BOYLE.

PNEUMATIC PLUSHING TANK.

WITNESSES:

N. PETERS PnuloLimo n hnr, Wnhingion, D4 0.

(No Model.) 5 Sh eets-Sheet 4.

J. E. BOYLE. I

v I PNEUMATIC PLUSHING TANK. No. 380,854. Patented Apr. 10, 1888.

Hmmlm HHI N PETERS. Phclo-Lilhogfipher, Washin ton, D. c.

Y I (No Model.) 5 Sheets -Sheet 5.

J. E. BOYLE. PNEUMATIC FLUSHING TANK. I No. 380,854. Patented Apr. 10, 1888.

WITNESSES: I INVENTOR: ///JQ MM PETERS. Photn-Lilhognphor, Washington, D. c.

UNTTE TATES PATENT Tricia.

JAMES E. BOYLE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PNEUMATIC FLUSHING=TANK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,854, dated April 10, 1888.

' Application filed January 8. 1887. Serial No. 223,764. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES E. BOYLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,

.haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Flushing-Tanks for WVater- Closets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flushing'tanks for double-trapped siphon-closets, or those wherein the soil-passage leading from the bowl is bent to form two traps with a confined airspace between them. In the flushing of such closets it is necessary to draw the air from this air-space in order to start the siphonic action by which the contents of the bowl are carried out to the soil-pipe. The first closet ofthis class was invented by Peters and Donald, having been patented in Great Britain in 1874, and in this country on June 27, 1882, by Pat ent No. 260,232. In their closet the flushingtank has a vacuum-chamber into which the flushing-water is introduced from the reservoir, and from which, when the outlet-valve is opened, it flows to the bowl. An air-pipe extends from the confined air-space between the two traps and terminates at the top of the vacuum-chamber. \Vhen the flushing-water runs out of the chamber, it forms a partial vacuum in the upper part thereof, and draws the air from the air-pipe and from the airspace, thus siphoning the bowl. After the flushing and siphoning have ceased the tank is refilled by a float-valve and part of the entering water is conducted down to the bowl, in order to refill the trap, this action being known as the afterwash.

The first do'ubletrappcd siphon-closet that was introduced into use is the one known as the tidal-wave closet, which was patented by me March 28, 1882, by Patent No. 255,485. In this closet the vacuum is created by the running out of water from a closed vacuum-chamber, as in the Peters and Donald tank, but the afterwash is effected in different manner, namely, by breaking the vacuumin the V2tCLlL1l1l-ChZlll1bGP when the flushing-water has nearly run out, thus arresting the siphoning and permitting the remaining water to run freely to the bowl and fill it.

My present invention relates to pneumatic flushing-tanks of this character.

In the tank of my said tidal-wave closet the vacuum-chamber is filled by an i nlet-valve from a cistern or reservoir which holds a supply for several flushes, and it is emptied by opening an outlet-valve which communicates with the flushing-pipe. That construction is necessary whenever it is desired to flush the closet several times without the necessity of refilling the tank, as is the case whenever the water-supply is intermittent or irregular or subject to be out off at times by the drawing of water on lower floors of the building; but it is not necessary in all cases, and for cheaper closets, especially what is known as a singlecharge tank, or one which has no reservoir, and which consequently empties itself at each flush, is admissible. In adapting my said tidal-wave tank to supply a single charge at a time the reservoir is omitted, and the float-valve is constructed to discharge its water directly into the flushing tank or chamber or into a compartment that has direct communication therewith. The closed vacuumchamber and its outlet-valve to the flushingpipe are retained. After each flush the flushing-chamber is refilled by the float-valve, which thus becomes essentially the inletvalve of my said tidal-wave patent.

My present invention provides a singlecharge tank of simple, compact, and cheap construction.

In my said tidal-wave tank the arrangement of the two valves is such that the closet is automatic in its action. The operating-1e ver is connected by a chain or wire to the seat of the closet, so that when the seat is depressedthe inlet-valve is opened and the vacuumchamber fills with water, and when the seat is released the inlet-valve closes and the outletvalve opens, so that the water runs out to flush thebowl.

In my Patent No. 291,139, dated January 1, 1881, is shown a pneumatic tank which may be operated by a pull, the flush following immediately after the pulling of a chain con nected to the operating-lever. This tank has but one valve in addition to the float-valve, which keeps it filled, that one being the out let or flushing valve. Its pneumatic action is due to the use of an injector in the flushingpipe, instead of to a vacuum-chamber. The

afterwash is secured in the same manner by breaking the vacuum, which is'done by admitting air as soon as enough water has run out of the flushing-chamber or service-box to unseal an air hell or tube communicating with the air-pipe.

My present invention aims to adapt to the tidal-wave tank, or to a tank wherein the vacuum is created by means of a vacuum-chamber,the feature of the non-automatic operation or flushing upon the manual pulling of the lever, which is found in my said later patent. The abandonment of the automatic operation of the valves enables the tank to be simplified and consequently cheapened. My present invention comprises the following elements: first, the tank or box having a capacity sufficient to hold the water for one flushing of the closet; second, a float-valve in connection with the service-pipe for admitting water to the tank; third, an outlet-valve or equivalent deviceas a siphon-for discharging the water from the tank to the flushing-pipe, which is of any known or suitable construction; fourth, a lever or other means of operating said valve; fifth, an air-pipe extending to above the water-level in the tank; sixth, an open-bottomed vacuum chamber placed within the tank and inclosing said air-pipe; and, seventh, some suitable means for providing an afterwash to refill the bowl after the vacuum ceases, this being accomplished, preferably, by breaking the vacuum in the vacuum-chamber before all the water has run out. The vacuumchamber is in this construction essentially an air-bell, and it is made removable, so that it may be lifted out of the tank at will.

I prefer to make the vacuum-chamber movable and to connect it with the operating-lever, so that when the latter is pulled the bell is forcibly lifted, the outlet-valve being opened by the same operation, thereby starting the outflow of water to the bowl. The lifting of the vacuum-chamber creates a suction within it which facilitates the starting of the siphoning of the bowl and renders the operation of the apparatus more prompt, while it enables a vacuum-chamber of smaller volume to be used. Instead ofgiving the chamber a capacity for holding the entire charge of flushing-water, as in my first patent, I may make it much smaller, so thatits capacity shall equal only about a half or quarter the volume ofthe flush.

I have shown in the accompanying drawings several constructions embodying the features of my present invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal mid-section of the preferred construction of my improved pneumatic tank, (cut in the plane of the line 1 1 in Fig. 2,) and a similar section of the earthenware bowl and traps used therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan of the tank. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof in the plane of the line 3 3 in Fig. 2, showing the internal parts in elevation; and Fig. 4 is a section of the tank, cut in the same plane as Fig. 1, but showing the tank in operation. The remaining views illustrate modified constructions. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the tank and of the earthenware bowl and traps, and Fig. 6 is a plan of the tank shown in Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical longitudinal sections of other constructions of tanks.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, which show the bowl, let A designate the bowl or basin; to, the flushing-rim thereof; B, the outlet or soilpassage extending therefrom; G, the upper trap in said passage, by means of which water is held in the bowl; D, the second orlower trap, and b the confined-air space between the two traps.

Referring to all the drawings, let E designate the tank or water-vessel having a capacity of one charge of flushing water, or somewhat more; F, the float-valve or inlet-valve,of which F is the float, for admitting water to the tank from the service-pipef; G, the outlet-valve or its equivalent for discharging water from the tank through the flushing-pipe g to the flushing-rim a of the bowl below; H, the operating-lever connected in some way to the valve G, so that when it is tilted by the pulling of the chain 0, connected to its outer end, the valve G is opened and the flush is started; I, the air-pipe or suction-pipe, which extends from the air-space I) up to the upper part of the tank; J, the vacuum-chamber or space inclosing the air-pipe; and K the inclosing-wall or partition, vessel, or air-bell, which constitutes said chamber, and which has an opening at its bottom (lettered k) which admits air into the vacuum-chamber to break the vacuum therein when most of the water has run out of the tank, but while there still remains sufficient to constitute the afterwash.

I will now describe the different constructions in detail, beginning with that shown in Figs. 1 to 4. In this tank the vacuum-chamber J is formed by means of an oblong metallic box, K, which is open at its bottom, thereby constituting what I call an air-bell. The lever H is fastened rigidly to this air-bell, so that the latter constitutes one arm of the lever, and the two are fulcrumed on pivots d d, which are formed on the lever or fixed to the bell on a pivotal axis which extends horizontally across the end of the tank. The pivots drop into notches or grooves e e, formed in the opposite walls of the tank, so that the lever and air-bell may be lifted out bodily when desired, in order to get access to the parts of the tank beneath. The air-bell extends nearly the entire length of the tank, leaving only room beyond its end for the float F, the stern f of which extends along one side of the air-bell to the valve F. The end of the air-bell farthest from its pivots or fulcrum rests on the bottom of the tank, and from this point the bottom of the bell is inclined upward to the opposite end at In, which, being the highest part, is the first that fiushing of the closet will have run out.

is unsealed when the water is running out, so that the air to break the vacuum in the bell enters at 70. Inside of the bell are the fixed air-pipe I and the outlet-valve G. The latter in this construction is a siphonvalve, or one which after once being lifted serves to start a siphon, so that after the valve is seated the outflow continues through the siphon until the latter is unsealed. Such valves are common in flushing-tanks. In the construction shown the valve proper, h,- is a packed disk, which when seated closes the outlet opening. Through it extends a vertical tube, '5, which extends thence up to just above the normal water-level in the tank. Over this tube is placed a tube, j, capped over on top and extending down nearly to the valve-disk h. The tubes 1' and j are fastened together and constitute the siphon. At the top they are connected by a loose conneetionsueh as a short chain-to the top of the airbell K,so that when the bell is tilted up the siphon and valve will be lifted. Beneath the valve-disk h is a tubular skeleton guide, Z, which enters the valveseat and guides the valve as it is lifted and dropped. 1

WVhen the chain c is pulled, as shown in Fig. 4, the lever H is tilted, the air-bell K is raised, thereby creating a partial vacuum in the vacuum-chamber, and the outletvalve G is lifted. Upon the lifting of the valve the water rushing down the pipe 9 creates a vacuum in the tubes M, and water is consequently drawn up the annular space between the two tubes, which constitutesthe shorter leg of the siphon, and then down the tube t, which constitutes the long leg. As soon as this siphonic action commences, the valve G may be dropped to its seat, as the siphon will continue to draw the water from the tank until the water-level is lowered to the mouth of the tubej, whereupon the vacuum is broken and the out-tiow ceases. By this time enough water for one The tank will then be refilled by the i'loatvalve, makingit ready for the next operation. In so refilling it the water rising in the vacuumchamber would encounter a confined mass of air therein and would compress it, thereby compressing the column of air in the airpipe I and in the air-space b, were it not that the air is permitted to escape through a vent-valve, in, opening outward from the chamber. This valve is very light and opens easily. From the casing of the valve m a flexible tube, 12, extends to a fixed vent-pipe, p, which should communicate with a chimney-fine or extend to the roof of the building, or be otherwise arranged as is customary with local ventpipes. The pipe 1) is an elbow connected by a bracket, 1), to the tank 11 and provided with a coupling, 0, for connecting the lead ventpipe. By this construction the air-space b is ventilated, and the use of the flexible tube a enables this ventilation to be effected without interfering with the movement oftheair-bell K.

The float-valve F is ofany suitable construction, and is arranged along one side of the air-bell. It must not supply water at so rapid a rate that the entering water will keep the siphon supplied, as in that event the tank could not be refilled. In case of any leakage of the float-valve, the overflow will take place through the siphon and will start it and operate the tank. Thus whenever the closet flushes itself automatically it is known that a leak exists, which is thus announced much more positively than by a mere silent overflow.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a construction wherein the air-bell K is not pivoted and is distinct from the lever. It is a rectangular upright vessel suspended from the operating-lever by a link, g, which prevents its twisting. valve G is fixed rigidly within it, so that when the valveis seated itupholds the'air-bell. The air-bell occupies one end of the tank, andthe float-valve is arranged in the other end. have here shown a wooden tank lined with metal.

Fig. 7 shows a modification wherein the airbell-is made to tilt, as in Fig. 1, and incloses all the other parts, being made nearly as large as the tank. The float-valve is arranged within the air-bell. To get access to any of these parts, the bell may be lifted off, being disconnected from them all. The ventvalve m opens to the air.

Fig. 8 illustrates how the outletvalvc may be exteriortothe air-be1l. Both are connected to one lever, H, so that both are raised together, but the air'bell is lifter farther than the valve, which is desirable in order to increase the rarcfaction created by the lifting of the bell.

It is not essential to my invention that the outlet from the tank be from an outlet-valve in the sense in which the term is commonly used. Any means for emptying a tank at will by which when the outflow is once started it willcontinueuntilsufficientwater foronefiushing of the closet has flowed out will answer all the requirements of my. single-flush outletvalve and will be the equivalent thereof. As an example of such an outflow device, I may mention a fixed siphon in the tank with some means provided for starting its siphonie action. Such a device, examples of which are well known in the trade, would not be ordinarily considered a valve, and yet it is the full equivalent of the outflow-valve which constitutes one of the elements of my invention.

I make no claim to anything shown in any of the patents hereinbefore referred to.

I make no claim in this applicationto those features or combinations shown herein and claimed in my application, Serial No. 240,357, filed June 6, 1887, and I hereby reserve such features to be claimed in that application.

I claim as my invention in a pneumatic flushing-tank the following defined novel fea tures or combinations, substantially as hereinbefore specified-nan1ely:

1. The combination of a tank, a float-valve The for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading from said tank, an outlet-valve opening from said tank to said pipe and adapted when operated to cause an outflow from said tank, a lever for operating said valve, an airpipe projecting up in said tank and opening above the water-level therein, and an openbottomed vacuum chamber or box placed in said tank over said air-pipe and constructed to be lifted out at will.

2. The combination of a tank, a float-valve for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading from said tank, an outlet-valve opening from said tank to said pipe and adapted when operated to cause an outflow from said tank, a lever for operating said valve, an airpipe projecting up in said tank and opening above-the water-level therein, and an openbottomed vacuum chamber or box placed in said tank over said airpipe, constructed to be lifted out at will, and having a capacity equal to the volume of air required to be drawn from the air-pipe by the operation of the tank.

3. The combination of a tank, afloatvalve for supplying water thereto, a flushingpipe leading therefrom, an outlet-valve opening from the tank to said pipe and adapted when operated to establish an outflow from said tank, a lever for operating said valve, an open-bottomed vacuum-chamber arranged in said tank and movable up and down therein, an air-pipe opening within said chamber above the water-level in the tank, and mechanical means for lifting said chamber.

4. The combination of a tank, a float-valve for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading therefrom, an outlet-valve opening from said tank to said pipe, an open-bottomed vacuum-chamber arranged in said tank and movable up and down therein, an air-pipe opening into said chamber above the waterlevel, and an operating-lever connected to said chamber and to said outlet-valve, whereby the pulling of said lever simultaneously raises said chamber, thereby creating a partial vacuum in saidair-pipe, and opens said valve, thereby establishing the outflow and maintaining said vacuum.

5. The combination of a tank, a float-valve for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading therefrom, an outlet-valve opening from the tank to said pipe, a lever for operating said valve, a vacuum-chamber pivoted in said tank and connected to said lever,whereby when the lever is' pulled the chamber is tilted, and an air-pipe opening into said chamber above the Water-level.

6. The combination of a tank, a float-valve for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading therefrom, an outlet valve opening from the tank to said pipe, a vacuum-chamber arranged in said tank mounted on pivots on a horizontal axis and capable of being tilted, an operating-lever fixed to said chamber, and an air-pipe opening into said chamber above the Water-level.

7. The combination of a tank, a float-valve for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading therefrom, an outlet valve opening from the tank to said pipe, a lever or equivalent mechanical means for operating said valve, a vacuum-chamber arranged in said tank and movable up and down therein, an airpipe opening into said chamber, and a vent-Valve for permitting escape of air from said chamber.

8. The combination of a tank, a float-valve for supplying water thereto, a flushing-pipe leading therefrom, an outlet valve opening from the tank to said pipe and adapted when operated to cause an outflow of water from said tank sufficient for one flush, a lever for operating said valve, a vacuum-chamber arranged in said tank,adapted to be. raised and lowered therein and connected to said lever, an airpipe opening into said chamber, a vent-valve in said chamber opening outward, a vent-tube leading from the tank, and a flexible tube connected to said vent-valve and to said tube.

9. The combination,with a water-closet consisting of a bowl,two traps,and an intervening air-space, of a tank, a float-valve for supplying said tank, a flushing-pipe extending from said tank to the bowl, an air-pipe extending upward from said air-space and opening in the tank above the water-level, an operating-lever forsaidtanlgand amovableair-bell or vacuumchamber arranged in said tank in communication with said air-pipe and connected to said lever,whereby on the lifting of said air-bell a partial vacuum is created within it and in said air-pipe and air-space.

10. The combination,with a water-closet consisting of a bowl. two traps, and an intervening air-space, of a flushing-tank, a movable airbell therein, an operating-lever and pull for lifting said bell, and an air-pipe extending from the said air-space and terminating in said air-bell, whereby on lifting said bell a partial vacuum is created in said pipe and air-space.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES E. BOYLE.

IOC 

